Advanced Advocacy Training Program for JAG Corps
AUWCL’s Stephen S. Weinstein Trial Advocacy Program hosted an Advanced Advocacy Training Program from September 19-23, 2018 for 24 U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocates. Military attorneys traveled from all over the world to attend the week long training that focused on trial skills in the context of sexual assault cases in the military justice system.
The training program featured instruction on all aspects of a criminal trial, including pre-trial motions, direct and cross examinations, opening statements and closing arguments. The week culminated in the first annual U.S. Marine Corps mock trial competition. AUWCL students served as jurors during all of the competition rounds. Three sitting judges from the Navy and Marine Corps, Captain Colleen Glaser Allen, JAGC, USN Commander Marcus Fulton, JAG USN, and Colonel Peter Rubin, USMC presided over the trials. After two rounds of competition, the final four competitors were Captain Marc Jessup, Captain Eric Styles, First Lieutenant Alex Flores and Major Keaton Harrell.
The winner of the final round of competition was Major Keaton Harrell, who was named the U.S. Marine Corps Litigator of the Year. The highest ranking lawyer in the Marine Corps, Major General John Ewers, presented the prestigious award.
Faculty and guest lecturers for these courses included:
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Elizabeth I. Boals, Associate Director, Weinstein Trial Advocacy Program, WCL
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Elizabeth Lippy, Assistant Director, Weinstein Trial Advocacy Program, WCL
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LTC George Brauchler, JAGC, District Attorney for Colorado’s 18th Judicial District
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Dennis Clark, Esq., Assistant State’s Attorney, Office of the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County
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Commander Marcus Fulton, JAG USN
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Captain Colleen GlaserAllen, JAGC, USN
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Brandi Harden, Esq., AUWCL Adjunct Professor, Partner, Harden & Pinckney, PLLC
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Brian K. Johnson, author of The Articulate Advocate
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Paul Morella, AUWCL Adjunct Professor, Professional Stage Actor
The success of the program would not have been possible without the assistance and support received from individuals and departments at the law school and the U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocates. Special thanks to Dean Camille Nelson for her welcoming remarks and Major Jesse Schweig, Captain Matt Reeder (a current AUWCL Law & Government LL.M. student), Ms. Julia Hejazi (Highly Qualified Expert, USMC), and faculty and staff from the Trial Advocacy Program.